User reviews

It was no surprise that, throughout Make It Happen's 80-minutes duration, one would find this latest dance flick (helmed by occasional music director, Darren Grant) riddled with the most tiresome and obnoxious clichés that the genre could offer across its existence. Yes, to be fair, the film seems to be borrowing each scene from similarly plotted features. Yet, in one way or another, Make It Happen seems to present all of them just that better.

One of the flick's greatest and most undeniable asset would be lead Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who displays some of her best work here. It's hard not to swoon for Winstead, who switches from ferocious, limb-swinging urban dancer to ingénue, down-to-earth, corn-fed small town girl with impressive and flawless flair. She seems born for the role, radiating an unbelievable amount of charm, and drawing life into a well-written character. Despite having been supplied with a prosaic script, Winstead performs admirably well, both on and offstage.

Regardless of Winstead's poetic beauty, the film lacks a substantial screenplay, and every line feels tacky and uninspired. It's safe to say that the film is no more scripted than it is choreographed. Adler's libretto felt unremarkably familiar, and, with or without hindsight, you could almost tell how the film will unfold before the lights dim down. It was fortunate that the rest of the troops, though never coming close to stealing the show (leave that to Winstead), played their - stereotypical - parts adequately, with the provocative Julissa Bermudez standing out exiguously.

The film's lack of flesh on show is an affront to the cast's sensual, slinky sex appeal, and it is hard to find that the clubgoers are majorly made up of cheering females, rather than drooling guys. However, the dances are already enticing in nature, so more skin would not have been necessary, but simply more effective. Speaking of, the dance sequences are entertainingly beautiful, aided with a catchy soundtrack, and as a whole, undeniably a visual and aural delight - a testament to the eyes and ears.

Make It Happen is not much a film rather than a montage of energetic dance romps, connected solely by filler sequences enlaced with drama and romance. That said, they are good sequences of drama, as Winstead's verisimilar approach to her character enlivens each of the film's dramatic scenes. The same cannot be said for the sequences of romance though. Try as they might, the pairing of Winstead and Smith lacks chemistry, and as a result, the film is forced to present a dull romance that you couldn't care for. It doesn't help that Smith's character is near unlikable - as another critic put it - "a smarmy douche".

All the same, Grant's experience in the music video industry helped a lot here. Stunning cinematography entwine each scene, and the dance sequences are nothing short of being optically magnificent. Although there might not be much to entertain those with a passionate dislike of this variety, it is nevertheless a fine installment into the dance genre. Make It Happen passes as both a short, drama film entwined with great dance sequences, and an overtly long, energetic music video interweaved with filler drama scenes. However you put it, I believe Make It Happen is still a decent film.

Verdict: Darren Grant has crafted an enjoyable popcorn dance flick, an improvement over the recent additions to the genre. There's still much room for improvement, but Winstead's soulful performance atones for much of the flaws. Nevertheless, its feeble screenplay and extremely predictable fade-out could not go off easily unnoticed.

Greetings from the other side. You will get serious deja vu watching this movie.

Girl goes to dance try-out but doesn't make it, so she tries her hand at burlesque. You get the standard montage of trying on clothes, along with many other cliches, such as:

Hot DJ guy asks her out.

Evil dancer is jealous of her Says she can't dance like that, but after a rough start, she is amazing!

Her brother catches her doing burlesque, and is very upset and runs off in a huff, while she chases him to explain.

And many, many more.

A part that made me laugh was when she takes the stage for the first time, but has problems dancing to a slow song for no reason (people grumbling and shaking their heads at her dancing), so her DJ boyfriend changes the music to a fast beat song, and suddenly she is incredible! (And the crownd starts cheering and smiling).

This movie is watchable just once because Mary Elizabeth Winstead is in it, and she is just gorgeous, and talented. However, I didn't believe her kissing and make-out scenes. There didn't seem to be any chemistry with her boyfriend. Plus you have seen this all before in movies like Coyote Ugly, or Bulesque, and they did it better.

This film is about a young woman who works against all odds towards achieving her dream as a dancer.

"Make It Happen" is a predictable feel good movie. It has got all the ingredients to be a cheesy film. It has trendy danceable music, cool dance moves, great looking people, the jealous enemy; even the obligatory shopping scenes! As for the plot, there is no beating around the bush. Just six minutes into the film, there is already a dance audition. The pacing is fast, but it does not feel rushed. The dance moves are energetic and vibrant, which makes it a joy to watch.

"Make It Happen" gives the right youthful energy which makes viewers feel good. It is a great popcorn flick to turn your brain off. Just forget all the clichés, sit back and enjoy it.

How do you approach a dance movie? I feel that the story takes a firm back seat, in providing a wafer thin excuse to string some opportunities for dancing onto the screen. Granted there are some excellent story lines that come once in a while, but most times, you'd get the rudimentary dancer character who has to prove that he/she can dance to a group of nay-sayers consisting of peers or snooty judges, fall in love, and of course to rise above all challenges to claim the prize / gain acceptance from the community.

Brought to us from the writer of movies such as The Step Up and Save The Last Dance movies, here comes something that doesn't disappoint, in that it sticks to formula so that you know what to expect, nothing more or less. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (who played John McClane's grown up daughter in Die Hard 4, and scream queen in Final Destination 3) takes on the mantle of the downtrodden dancer wannabe Lauryn, who felt that she's responsible for the family garage business, until she decides to pursue her dream by leaving the small town, and head for the bright lights in the big city.

Her audition with the Chicago School of Music and Dance was a complete washout, and confidence shaken, takes to the temp-ing at a lounge called Ruby's, where she helps to cook the books. But you can bet your last dollar that this is the venue with which she'll fall in love, with a fellow music engineer Russ (Riley Smith), while lapping the coincidental opportunities for her to showcase some of her moves, before becoming an established member of the pussycat dolls of dance.

Story aside, which packed a wallop with superficial antsy challenges from established peers, an unforgiving brother who couldn't fathom her passion, and a boyfriend who can't wait to get into her pants, coupled with the nagging thought of failure and that she's no good for the Ivy League school for dance, we're really here for the set dance pieces, aren't we? There aren't many of them which stood out, given that they aren't as innovative or fused some genres together to come up with an amalgam of moves, though the character of Lauryn probably was supposed to show how an unpolished gem got to go through the paces at a club, before coming through and achieving success by her measure.

And the lounge setting does provide for some sensual, provocative costumes to drape the lithe and tall frame of Winstead's, though I had to admit I thought her assortment of hoods, wigs and the likes provided for some convenient cover-up for a body double to take over, until of course I read that she had some background in dance. There are some routines that I genuinely liked, but the one at the finale, which should be the mother of all moves in any dance movie, was the one that seriously packed a punch, with improvisation, and a combination of ballet with hip-hop, without being too obvious or conscious about it.

Yes, you've seen one you've seen them all, at least for the narrative aspect. If you're patient to sit through the dramatic portions, you'll find yourself cheering with the crowd when the dancers take to the platform. Soundtrack too was nothing short of expectations, and I give it brownie points for the inclusion of a disco retro.

All this is is a dancing version of Coyote Ugly. Dancing is good but if you have watched Coyote Ugly, you already know what's about to happen.

Examples: In both movies there is a colleague who is horrible to them right through the movie...

In both movies there is the guy who pretends to be the manager...

In both, its all about getting the audition

In both, there is a family crisis where they both decide to abandon their dream and run home but first have a good old fashioned drama scene where they abandon their boyfriends...

Seriously, if you have watched Coyote Ugly, don't bother watching this one.

I don't mean for one moment to impugn the skills of filmmaker Darren Grant, or writers Duane Adler or Nicole Avril; there's nothing inherently wrong with wanting to make a movie that's effectively one's own take on a "tried and true" genre. And the contributions of all on hand are competent - no one here is incapable. I will say, however, that I understand the criticism and broadly weak-kneed response: in every aspect of the writing, in the direction and cinematography down to specific shots, and the editing down to discrete sequencing, this is a movie so familiar and well-trodden that it's kind of awkward and laughable for the fact of it. Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world, trying to Make It in the big city and pursue her dream of Something Or Other amidst conflicting pressures? Been there, done that, countless times. This doesn't mean 'Make it happen' can't be enjoyable and worthwhile on its own merits, though it does mean that unless one has a particular reason to seek this out over or in addition to any of its brethren, you're not especially missing anything.

With that said, if one does find themselves with an opportunity to watch this, there is nonetheless much to appreciate. There's some meaningful cleverness and heart in the screenplay, recognizable though it is. I greatly admire Karyn Wagner's fetching costume design, and the work of the hair and makeup artists - has the star's hair EVER been more full and luscious? The production design and art design, likewise, are simply splendid. The soundtrack is a total blast, and I say that as someone who for the vast majority of her life never listened to any manner of dance or pop music; less notable, Paul Haslinger's score is still swell in and of itself. I genuinely love Tracy Phillips' choreography, and every person dancing shows fabulous, tremendous skill that in and of itself might actually be enough to make this worthwhile - I have two left feet, and they're on backwards, and I'm jealous. And for that matter, I think the cast give fine performances. Tessa Thompson, Karen LeBlanc, Riley Smith, and others breathe meaningful life into their characters.

The biggest surprise of all, though, is surely Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I think she's a fantastic actress, and she's demonstrated time and again why she's so in demand and so beloved. We've grown accustomed, however, to seeing her in roles that accentuate wry humor that pairs so handily with her specific vocal timbre. 'Make it happen' rather seems to allow an illustration of range well outside the norm, and I'll be the first to admit that I never took her as someone who's got some moves. The joke's on me, though, because she absolutely nails it here, to the point that alongside dance and choreography at large, Winstead's involvement may also be a singular reason to check out this little flick.

Even at its best this isn't something so stupendous as to utterly demand viewership; I repeat that we've definitely seen this before by other names. But it's still entertaining. Everyone involved put in excellent work, especially those behind the scenes, choreographer Phillips, and the cast. This might be "only a dance movie," but the combination of song and step is earnestly invigorating, and it's impossible not to get swept up in the spectacle at least a little bit. It may be a light piece of formulaic fluff, yet that's all it needs to be for its specific few points of luminosity to shine brightly. Recommended most of all for fans of Winstead or of dance, 'Make it happen' might not be an essential must-see, but it's a good time all on its own, and sometimes that's all a picture needs to be.

Are there many better ways to waste an hour and a half than watching the gorgeous Mary Elizabeth Winstead strutting her stuff as a burlesque dancer? I didn't think so, but I was wrong. Winstead is breathtakingly beautiful, and sufficiently lithe and lissom for the role, but this derivative dance movie -- obviously inspired by films such as Flashdance, Fame, Breakin', and Coyote Ugly -- simply hasn't got the moves necessary for a good time.

Written by one-trick-pony Duane Adler (check out his filmography to see what I mean), this predictable urban fantasy piles on the clichés from the get-go: girl from Hicksville dreams of making it big - check! Her only family is her hard-working mechanic brother - check! She fails to make it through her audition - check! She takes a job at a nightclub where she falls for the nice guy DJ - check! Brother pays her a surprise visit and is shocked to see her on stage - check! Nice guy DJ convinces her to re-audition - check! She wows the choreographer and gets a place at dance school - check! Everyone is pleased for her, even her brother, who has had a change of heart - check!

Director Darren Grant injects very little life into proceedings: the drama is instantly forgettable, but even the dance scenes - surely the most important aspect of this genre - are incredibly bland. Don't expect any iconic moments a la Jennifer Beals water/chair moment in Flashdance - there aren't any. Don't look for cool moves as busted by Boogaloo Shrimp and Shabba-Doo in Breakin' - there aren't any. Winstead tries her best but the choreography is terrible - the final routine for her second audition isn't any better than her first attempt, but I guess failing twice wouldn't have been clichéd enough for this kind of tripe.

I watched for Winstead, but should have watched something else instead. 3/10.

It;s got it's flaws, but I had fun watching it. Mary Elizabeth WInstead is great in this film and the dance scenes were amazing. So if you just watch to see a dumb fun movie, I say give this film a watch.

Lauryn Kirk (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) from a small Indiana town goes to audition for the Chicago School of Music and Dance. They want real emotions and reject her. Her car gets towed and she is unwilling to admit defeat to her brother. She gets a place to stay from Dana (Tessa Thompson) who helps get her a bookkeeping job at the burlesque club Ruby's. Dana is one of the dancers and Russ (Riley Smith) is the music director.

This is a worn-out formula. The plot is a copy of every other one of these dance movies. This has to distinguish itself with great dancing but there is nothing exceptional here. Winstead is not a big enough star to carry this although she does have that wide-eyed innocent quality. She's tall and lanky. She fits the character but the movie is not special.

Following the success of dance spectacles such as 'Stomp The Yard', 'Save The Last Dance' and 'You Got Served', film goers now have 'Make It Happen'…but can it step up to its predecessors and dance up a box-office storm??? Like its forerunners, 'Make It Happen' follows a generic storyline. Country gal' Lauryn (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) leaves hicks ville to pursue dancing in the big smoke…only to be bitterly disappointed when her audition for the Chicago School of Music and Dance ends up a spectacular flop. Dreams shattered, Lauryn finds work at seedy burlesque club 'Ruby's'. Here she meets disc jockey Russ (Riley Smith), where an inevitable spark is lit between the two. Pretty soon her dance career heats up also; she takes center stage, performing burlesque/hip-hop fusions to a screaming audience each night. It is at 'Ruby's' where Lauryn is forced to reevaluate her dreams, her family, her life and love…taking her on the ultimate journey of self discovery… Lauryn's transformation from heavily made-up, sexy country hick to heavily made-up, sexy dancer…is nothing short of…well…nothing. Lauryn is a flat, uninspired, martyr who comes across as the ultimate drip…a wet blanket some might say. Winstead has a certain screen presence…yet the script dumbs down any moments of authenticity in her performance. The supporting cast is not worth mentioning; they play it by the numbers and it's all a very trite.

"But who gives a Shiite about the characters and story?" I hear you say…"We're all watching it for the dancing!" Surely a film with such a wafer thin plot and stale protagonists would compensate with breathtaking, sexy and exhilarating dance sequences…right? WRONG. When the dance sequences should be sizzling, they end up fizzling…when they are about to pack a punch, they give the audience a floppy and limp wrist. They are competently filmed, and edited with a sense of rhythm, yet memorable moments = ZILL. The film attempts to explore the somewhat risqué style of burlesque dance…but wants to keep a PG rating…so everything about 'Ruby's' feels completely toned down.

For a dance movie, there is very little dancing. Unfortunately this means the audience sits through excessive amounts of predictable dialog before anything remotely exciting happens. At times it almost reaches "it's so lame it's good!" status…but never quite gets there. 'Make It Happen' really doesn't make anything happen at all…save your money and watch highlights of So You Think You Can Dance on You Tube.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Tessa Thompson were great in this film! But it's not that great. I really wanted Mary and Tessa's characters to be in a relationship. But this film was made in 2008 so of course that wouldn't happen. But this film was far to straight for my liking. As a lesbian, I liked looking at the ladies dancing but the story was boring and done before and the way it was written was not great. Overall, watch it for Mary and that's it. Not her best

I have to be honest, I watched this movie for 2 reasons One: a small portion of the movie was taped in my local city. I wanted to check out how the landmarks where used in the movie (the mechanical shop, the bridge and the club where some landmarks that I recognized), which I should add was done really well. Second: In the past I have enjoyed dance movies. This movie is way to similar to "Save the last Dance" basically because I have seen "Save the last Dance" I knew basically what was going to happen in this movie. Besides being a copycat movie I would say Make it happen is an entertaining family movie but not as entertaining as Darren Grants other movies I have seen. I will recommend this movie to my teen aged nieces as the target age would be 21 and under.

I saw Make it Happen this morning and thoroughly enjoyed the film. I found the plot to be intelligent, original, interesting and emotionally engaging. I thought all of the characters in some way evoked my sympathy and the standard of acting was excellent. I enjoyed the romance and felt there was real 'chemistry' in those scenes. There wasn't as much dancing and music as I expected, but for me that didn't matter since I was more interested in the story. (Having said that, I enjoyed what dancing and music there was very much!) I don't see why anyone of a romantic nature (male or female) wouldn't thoroughly enjoy this film. It has everything I look for in a movie - and plenty of it. Highly recommended.

just bought the above DVD from my local video chain outlet (ie. Video Ezy) where i'm blessed to have it in my possession as my country (ie. Malaysia) has a fairly high amount of pirated DVD's products which causes licensed video shops to have limited movie titles...

well, to start off, apparently there were some deleted scenes in the movie where the producer / director decided to remove the story of Dana (ie.Tessa Thompson) getting pregnant and subsequent miscarriage....

due to this removal, i guess viewers could not fully appreciate the close relationship between Lauryn (ie.Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Dana which the scriptwriter wanted to relay but was unfortunately chopped… in summary, some of the movie story reflected Mary's personal real life experiences such as being a ballerina when Lauryn was young, has taste for "off-the-beaten-track" music as composed by Russ (ie. Riley Smith) and I guess due to her holding steadfast to her personal principles, there were no revealing love or kissing scenes in the movie – hurray to Mary! Initially, I've watched this movie over YouTube but now with my TV, I could better appreciate Mary's expressive eyes and innocent looks which I guess you all guys are all infatuated to, like myself…ha..ha… happy viewing

I do not see ANY grounds for the low reviews score I noted - I have seen just about every dance movie that has been made and this one is cut above with soul, heart and a meaningful storyline that moves at a satisfying energetic pace. It does not resemble any dance movie I have seen so those comments are puzzling.

It does have a touch of the hard luck Flashdance style but with a whole lot more dancing which was a big positive for me. The turns in the story were also unexpected which I appreciated. Do not expect perfection on the budget of this movie but it is watchable and engaging.

Well done to all involved.

A wonderfully nubile young Mary Elizabeth Winstead glows is her role as a shy but talented dancer. I am not sure Mary Elizabeth performed all of her dance scenes or had a double, but the point is probably moot. Quite a credible movie, unlike 'Flashdance' who had Alex as a welder (as if) by day and a dancer by night. Dancing is a hard career path, like a pro athlete, riddled with injuries and of short duration. Most dancers and pro athletes are done by their early thirties, and there are limited coaching and commentating roles after that. This movie is sort of a G-rated 'Showgirls' with a beautiful brunette instead of a beautiful blonde in the lead role, and it is less tacky. OK it is light and fluffy but that is just what the world needs now.